chance someone stealing her car with her son
inside.
“You’re probably right.” Jeremy said.
“Do you remember that kid that got stolen
back in Denver because his mom left the car
running while she ran in to buy a pack of
cigarettes? I probably couldn’t stop someone
yet if they tried to steal the car.”
Melissa
frowned,
remembering
the
incident. Sometimes she thought Jeremy was
too wise for his age, like he thought he had to
be an adult because Mitch was no longer
around, like he had to protect her. In Denver,
Jeremy had watched the news every night
trying to take in all the dangers so he’d be
prepared for the worst. Maybe living in the
country would help him to just be a kid again.
She pulled into a stall as close to the front doors
as she could get. “Okay, I’ll be quick. Lock the
doors behind me.”
“I’m fine, mom.” Jeremy said distracted.
He was playing with the handheld video game
Mitch’s mother had bought him. Melissa
smiled. Jeremy wouldn’t even notice she was
gone.
****
Melissa rounded the corner and made a
bee line to the frozen food section. She just
needed ice cream and then she could escape.
So far, so good. She’d been able to avoid every
person in the store that she recognized. She
had just pulled out a carton of ice cream and
was closing the door when she nearly collided
with Sissy Francis. Melissa barely stopped the
groan forming at the back of her throat.
“Excuse me.” She said ducking her head in
hopes that the woman didn’t recognize her.
“I thought that was you.” Sissy said,
blocking Melissa’s path with her cart. “I
couldn’t believe it at first, but the instant I saw
you, I knew Melissa Peters was back in town. I
just had to come over and say hello.”
More like you just had to come over and
snoop, Melissa thought.
“How are you
Sissy?”
Melissa said, trying to sound as cordial as
possible.
“Oh, I’m just perfect.” She said, grinning.
How had Melissa Peters snuck into town
without anyone knowing? She must be staying
at her parents’ home. “Me and Frank got
married a few years back and we’re just happy
as clams.”
“Congratulations.” Melissa said, trying to
maneuver her basket around the hot pink
obstacle. Sissy always did like pink. The tight
hot pink pants and matching pink and purple
blouse was way too much for Melissa’s liking.
Not Sissy’s, that girl was always all about
splash.
“So I guess you’re staying in your parents’
old house.” Sissy said, moving slightly to
prevent Melissa’s escape.
“Uh, yeah.” Melissa said, realizing she
was stuck. “It’s really been great to see you
again Sissy, but I’m actually in a hurry.”
“I thought your parents moved to Florida.”
Sissy continued. “Are you here to sell the
place?” “No.” Melissa said, caving. She wasn’t
going to get home until she gave Sissy the scoop
and it really didn’t matter anyway. Once she
started at the Sheriff’s Office in the morning,
the whole town would know she was back. “I
bought my parents’ home. I’m staying,
permanently. Now if you’ll excuse me, I really
am in a hurry.” Melissa gave her basket a
push, which sent Sissy’s cart careening into the
glass door. “Sorry.” Melissa said as she rushed